WASHINGTON – Heroin and prescription painkiller abuse was the focus of a Senate Finance Committee hearing Tuesday morning. U.S. Senator Pat Toomey spoke about the epidemic and highlighted his bipartisan legislation entitled “Stopping Medication Abuse and Protecting Seniors Act”.
Toomey says his bill would prevent inappropriate access to opioids, improve patient care for at-risk beneficiaries and save taxpayers money, “The problem is a very real problem. The GAO has estimated that 170,000 Medicare enrollees have engaged in doctor shopping, where they go to multiple doctors, who then typically, unknowingly, write multiple prescriptions and multiple pharmacies. This is fraud.”
Toomey said, “We’ve got a solid bill that will help opioid addicted seniors find treatment, will reduce the diversion of powerful narcotics to illegal black markets, will save taxpayer money and reduce overspending on opioids. It is nearly identical to legislation already passed in the House.”
Toomey said his bill has very broad bipartisan support including the director of the CDC.
Toomey says as the rate of pain medication abuse and overdose continues to rise, this legislation would combat drug abuse, while also improving the continuity of care. You can read more about the legislation at www.toomey.senate.gov.
